Laurence

I have given some thought on how to better police undersize catches and unlicensed fishermen. It would be a great help if some powers in this regard were extended to council rangers. It seems to me that no training would be required for a ranger to check a licence. Non fishing rangers may not know which species is which and they may run into trouble identifying some species but i am sure that this could be overcome with a little training. It would surly be in councils interest to better control illegal fishing as it is this group that give us genuine anglers a bad name.

I tried a Snapper Snatcher for the first time last sunday in the surf. Baited the hooks with a small piece of pilchard and got two bites on big salmon, both hooked themselves in the mouth with the rod resting in a sand spike - landed both. Others fishing with me did not get a bite at all. So, on the first try, I would say they look promising.

I regularly fish Mona Vale and last sunday fished for three hours for three bites and three salmon. Slow fishing but the salmon were thumpers. Two around 60cm and one a bit smaller. Have been a few bream and lots of undersize flathead, but the salmon are there most days.

I do a bit of surf fishing, mainly at Mona Vale as I have a relative living there. I will probably be there either saturday or sunday from around 3pm till dark. Happy to pass on any help to anyone who wants to learn the art.

2 weeks back I fished Mona Vale beach and lots of Tailor there then . Too rough to fish last weekend though. :